Ichiro gives Seattle one last gift from Cooperstown: himself

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesCOOPERSTOWN, N.Y.

“Not bad, eh?!”

Ichiro’s inflection and facial expression would’ve been equally appropriate on stage at the Here-After in Belltown as it was at his podium, looking out on the field of Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center. As he recounted his own achievements, Suzuki’s sheepish grin at his mild rush of self-promotion sent laughter rippling through the tens of thousands assembled, and millions more at home. Of those present, a plurality, if not a majority, were present to honor and celebrate Ichiro most of all. And yet, as Ichiro delivered his hilarious, thoughtful, uniquely earnest remarks, I felt a tang of bittersweetness.

This was Ichiro, in one…